Maldives celebrates National Farmers’ Day today, but with an interesting catch!

Our nation has been accustomed to celebrating the dedicated work of local farmers on 10^th of August, on an annual basis. You may have thought that the celebration of the day has been foreshadowed or completely ignored by more pressing matters this year such as the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and all its impacts; however, this is where I tell you that you are absolutely wrong. No one in the Maldives would insult our farmers like that while we continue to consume the products they tirelessly work to cultivate; and no one has!

You may have not noticed, but, upon the recommendation of his Cabinet, President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih had designated 15^th of October as the new National Farmers’ Day earlier this year, in February. The recommendation which was initiated by Ministry of Fisheries, Marine Resources and Agriculture owing to the fact that celebrations of the day has continuously been postponed for various reasons during the past couple of years.

With no delays, we honor and acknowledge the diligent work of local farmers and their contributions to the economy as well as in ensuring food security with obstacles faced by them in mind, today.

The President delivered remarks in respective of the day earlier today. He was delighted to announce that persons engaging farming work will be exempted from the payment of rent of their farming plots for the next three years; due the delicate condition of our economy is currently in due to the coronavirus pandemic. He further highlighted strides reached in the agricultural sector since his admission to office such as omitting the import duty taken from tools and products brought in for farming work, the lease of 6 additional uninhabited island for agricultural purposes, facilitations of loans to local farmers through Housing Development Finance Corporation (HFDC) and the facilitation of more training programs for those working in the industry with modern innovations. He also stated that a fully state-owned company will be incorporated next year by the name “Agro National Corporation” to tackle the challenges faced by local farmers is selling their products at reasonable prices in fresh condition and that the government will be collaborating with foreign parties to develop the sector even more.